A fresh political row has erupted in Osun State following claims by the State House of Assembly over the redeployment of an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission, with the Accord Liberation Movement strongly criticising the Assembly’s position as misleading and lacking substance.
The Assembly, led by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, had raised concerns over what it described as a “deliberate pattern” to influence the electoral process through the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner and other key officials. It also alleged possible external influence in the postings, specifically pointing fingers at Gboyega Oyetola.
However, in a sharp rebuttal on Wednesday, Yusuf Adegboye, speaking for the Accord Liberation Movement of the Accord Party in Osun State, dismissed the Assembly’s claims as baseless and politically charged.
Adegboye accused the Speaker of a pattern of unfounded allegations, stating that “the speaker is fond of making sporus allegations against people most especially the Minister for blue economy.”
Hide quoted text
He further questioned the premise of the Assembly’s alarm, arguing that the redeployment of electoral officials is routine and does not determine electoral outcomes.
“What is new in postings of RECs,” he asked, adding that, “Ignorance is responsible to think a REC has influence in state elections particularly isolated election.”
The Accord chieftain also described the Assembly’s concerns over the Ife/Ijesa axis as misplaced, insisting that recent electoral realities already reflect the political dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area.
“He also exposed his ignorance and justifiable fear about Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, if he is not disillusioned, the loss of Senator Francis Fadahunsi and the three Members of the House of Representatives from the district is enough sign that no other party than APC exists in the region,” Adegboye said.
Read also: 10 things to know about CBN’s new BVN rules starting May 1
Highlighting key political figures from the district, he added, “Fadahunsi is undoubtedly one of the most influential politician in Osun, while Honourable Oluwole Oke is one of the few lawmakers who have returned to the National Assembly a record of 5 times and the only one in the state’s history. Hon. Bimbo Ajilesoro, representing Ife Federal Constituency, has been returned twice, while Hon Sanya Omirin, representing Ijesha South Federal Constituency is a grassroot mobilizer, who has been commanding influence since his days as Secretary to LG and later chairman before becoming a Rep.”
Adegboye further argued that political strength in Osun is not limited to one district, noting that Osun Central Senatorial District also boasts influential APC figures. He pointed to the presence of Senator Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the party, and Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajagunla, whom he described as a hardworking lawmaker representing the district, as evidence of the party’s entrenched structure across the state. He further pointed out that the Minister of Blue Economy and former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola is also from the Central Senatorial District, making the district another place where APC influence is overwhelming and a no go area for Governor Ademola Adeleke and his errand boys in the state Assembly.
The Assembly, in its earlier address, had earned that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process would be resisted, maintaining that Osun people remain vigilant and committed to credible elections. It also called on the international community to monitor developments closely.
But Adegboye countered that such statements risk heating up the polity unnecessarily, stressing that electoral integrity should not be undermined by what he described as speculative accusations.
The exchange underscores growing political tension ahead of the governorship election in Osun State, with parties trading accusations over control, influence, and the credibility of electoral processes.
Leave a Reply